Honorary consulate in Cote d'Ivoire eyed

The new Philippine ambassador to Nigeria is eyeing the setting up of a Philippine honorary consulate in Cote d'Ivoire to serve the needs of Filipinos there. Ambassador Nestor Padalhin brought up the idea with the Filipino community in Abidjan, who he met on July 16, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported. "The Ambassador broached the possible opening of a Philippine Honorary Consulate in Cote d' Ivoire with Mr. Philippe Forest as honorary consul in view of his track record in helping the OFWs in Cote d' Ivoire for almost a decade," the DFA said in a news release on Monday. The DFA said some 200 Filipinos are working and living in Cote d' Ivoire. "They work in various capacities, as engineers, technicians, entertainers, and as United Nations Operations in Cote d' Ivoire (UNOCI) officers. There are also Filipinos serving in other professions," the DFA said. Overseas absentee voting Meanwhile, Padalhin announced that the overseas absentee voting registration period for Filipinos will be conducted from October 31 to October 31, 2012. He also encouraged the Filipinos in Burkina Faso to vote from April 13, 2013 to May 13, 2013 in the senatorial and party-List elections. - VVP, GMA News